Back in 2022, I put together a list of the best fighting games for Nintendo Switch which you can read here. Since then, quite a bit has changed with new game releases, ports, updates, and more. I even did a recent feature on the best fighting games for Steam Deck in 2024. Since the original Switch feature, I’ve gotten a few arcade controllers and sticks for Switch and other platforms. With the recent and amazing Under Night release on Switch, now was a good time to put together an updated list of the best fighting games to play on Switch in 2024.
When it comes to the online, DLC, port quality, and more, a lot varies when it comes to a fighting game on Switch. We’ve seen some big budget fighters arrive with subpar conversions, and also some late ports that deliver the complete experience on the go. In the case of online netcode, I’ve specified when a game includes rollback netcode on Switch as well. As with prior features we’ve done, this list is in no particular order. I’ve also included a bonus at the end, and covered the controllers used to test the games.
The best Switch fighting games in 2024
Under Night In-Birth II Sys:Celes ($49.99)
I previously delayed my Steam Deck article because the 2D fighting game Under Night In-Birth II Sys:Celes hadn’t been released yet, and I had confidence in it being good because of the developer’s pedigree. I did the same for this Nintendo Switch one. Under Night In-Birth II Sys:Celes from French Bread and Arc System Works is not only the best Under Night game, but it also is a fantastic fighting game for Nintendo Switch with rollback netcode support. The game’s aesthetic also looks perfect on the Switch’s screen in handheld mode. If you’re new to this series or just want a superb and deep fighting game to play on Switch, Under Night In-Birth II Sys:Celes is worth your time and money.
Skullgirls 2nd Encore ($24.99)
I’ve been writing about Skullgirls 2nd Encore and Skullgirls Mobile quite a bit over the years, but I’ve always tried to highlight how good the main game is on consoles and PC. It has always had great gameplay, online netcode, visuals, and music, but the Switch version specifically had a huge overhaul making it a fantastic version of the game. In fact, I’ve been playing it most on Switch and Steam Deck out of all platforms. Skullgirls 2nd Encore is still getting new content and updates. The aesthetic, lovely music, and excellent gameplay come together to make it one of the best fighting games today, and a stunner on the OLED display on Switch. I hope it gets supported for many years to come.
Melty Blood Type Lumina ($49.99)
Melty Blood Type Lumina is the second French Bread game in this list, and the developer remains one of the best in the genre. The original Melty Blood always felt like this game that a few people spoke highly of and played, but it never got the respect or release it deserved. For Melty Blood Type Lumina, the newest entry in the 2D fighting game series based on Type Moon’s Tsukihime, we saw a day one multi-platform worldwide release on PC and consoles with rollback netcode. The Switch version is also not compromised like many other fighting game ports to the system. It has gotten tons of free DLC as well since launch making it just a plain fun and polished 2D fighting game that I can’t recommend enough. Also, how can you say no to a fighting game with Hisui, Neco Arc, and Saber included that also has rollback netcode?
Persona 4 Arena Ultimax ($29.99)
Originally released on PS3 and Xbox 360 years ago, Sega and Arc System Works brought an enhanced version of 2D fighter Persona 4 Arena Ultimax to PS4, Switch, and Steam back in 2022 including a balance update that had never been released outside Japan before. It was a fantastic fighting game for Persona fans, but the online was lacking. The Switch version unfortunately wasn’t patched with rollback netcode, and that’s basically my only issue with this version. Barring that, it is an excellent experience offline and in handheld mode on Switch. Including all prior paid DLC from the get go makes this an easier recommendation. If you like Persona and fighting games, this one is a no-brainer.
Power Rangers: Battle for the Grid – Super Edition ($49.99)
The 3v3 tag fighting game Power Rangers: Battle for the Grid with all its DLC makes for a superb value proposition, and it is one of the few recent fighters to have a competent Switch version from day one. The game itself is incredible on all platforms both online and offline, but it is great to have it play so well on Switch with a retail release also available. With Power Rangers: Battle for the Grid – Super Edition, the package also includes the Street Fighter collaboration DLC and has had another set of characters released since, and this is the version I recommend getting. Power Rangers: Battle for the Grid – Super Edition is worth your time offline and online on Nintendo Switch.
Capcom Fighting Bundle ($59.99) – SF 30th and CFC
Yes, I know including Capcom Fighting Bundle is cheating because it is a bundle of two collections, but I’m doing it anyway. This digital collection includes both Street Fighter 30th Anniversary Collection and Capcom Fighting Collection. I’ve featured Street Fighter 30th Anniversary Collection because it includes the legendary 3rd Strike (the best Street Fighter after Street Fighter 6), but I also wanted to make sure you check out the games in the Capcom Fighting Collection. This collection is important for the history of fighting games, and the games included are worth playing. Thankfully, Capcom has a bundle with both collections at a discount. With this, you can play Street Fighter III 3rd Strike on a portable and what more does one need in life?
THE KING OF FIGHTERS XIII GLOBAL MATCH ($19.99)
The King of Fighters XIII Global Match saw SNK bring KOF13 to Switch and PS4 recently, and it is the definitive version of the excellent fighter with its sublime pixel art, all characters, rollback netcode, and gameplay modes. My only complaint with The King of Fighters XIII Global Match on Switch is that the Joy-Cons are really not the best for the combo and inputs needed here. I played it with my 8BitDo stick or Hori Split Pad Combat. The King of Fighters XIII Global Match is also available as a deluxe edition with a soundtrack and artbook which is good to have. I’m glad SNK finally brought The King of Fighters XIII to modern platforms with this release and made sure to add rollback netcode to make it actually worth playing online.
DRAGON BALL FighterZ ($59.99)
The gorgeous 3v3 tag fighter DRAGON BALL FighterZ has been in the news recently for its rollback netcode update on Steam that seems a bit buggy alongside the new console versions launching, but it was one of the fighting games I hoped would hit Switch. The Switch version didn’t get rollback, but it has all the content from other versions. Barring the online and some performance issues, DRAGON BALL FighterZ is a great portable version. Since it is unplayable on Steam Deck due to its anti-cheat, this is just about your best shot at having a competent portable release as well. I’ve owned DRAGON BALL FighterZ on Switch since it launched, and now have all the DLC. If you haven’t gotten it yet, consider the DRAGON BALL FighterZ Legendary Edition for the game and most DLC together at a discount right now.
BLAZBLUE CENTRALFICTION Special Edition ($49.99)
I kept flip flopping on whether to feature BlazBlue Cross Tag Battle or BBCF (this game) at this position in the feature. I actually enjoyed both games a lot, but I’ve opted to include BBCF here as one of the best fighting games on Switch because it arrived with all DLC and was a competent port of a great 2D fighting game. I hope we get another BlazBlue game, but BLAZBLUE CENTRALFICTION Special Edition will do until then. Just keep in mind that the online isn’t the best on Switch (or PS4) with only the PC version being viable for proper online play right now.
GUILTY GEAR XX ACCENT CORE PLUS R ($14.99)
I got into the GUILTY GEAR series through Xrd Sign on PS4, but ended up playing every single game available on modern platforms including the Steam and Switch versions of GUILTY GEAR XX ACCENT CORE PLUS R. While it is best played on PC, I’m glad to have a good version of this classic fighter on Switch natively. If you’ve never played a GUILTY GEAR game, this one is deep, complex, and content packed. It may not have the best online experience on Switch, there’s little to complain about with that low asking price. I’m also glad to see this getting a physical release with the original GUILTY GEAR in a bundle.
Bonus
ACA NeoGeo Games
Hamster has released quite a few of SNK’s classic fighting games through its ACA NeoGeo series on Switch, and I wanted to give those a special mention because you can play Garou: Mark of the Wolves, KOF98, KOF2002, and much more on Switch through their arcade versions in this ACA NeoGeo series.
By the way, the controllers in the photo on the top are the 8BitDo Arcade Stick for Nintendo Switch/PC and the Haute Board Mini. The 8BitDo stick has been modded with Sanwa parts I bought from Arcade Shock and a limited edition Evo balltop. If you’re curious about other Haute 42 leverless controllers, stay tuned for something I’ve been working on.
Hopefully this feature helped you find a new fighting game to play on Nintendo Switch or revisit something you owned before. If you have any fighters on Nintendo Switch you’d recommend, let us know in the comments.
